Health Psychology Services in Michigan | Counseling & Therapy

Health Psychology Services in Michigan help you manage health problems that feel harder because of stress, worry, pain, sleep trouble, or big life changes. Many people feel stuck: they want to follow a treatment plan, but symptoms and emotions get in the way. Health psychology connects the mind and body so you can cope better and take practical steps each day. Our care is for adults and teens who live with medical conditions, chronic pain, fatigue, anxiety about health, or trouble adjusting after a diagnosis.

Signs You Might Benefit

Health psychology is not “all in your head.” It is support for real symptoms and real life. You might benefit if any of these sound like you:

• Chronic pain that affects sleep, mood, movement, or work
• Health anxiety (constant checking, fear of tests, worry about symptoms)
• Stress-related symptoms like headaches, stomach upset, fast heartbeat, or muscle tension
• Low motivation to follow a plan for diabetes, heart disease, asthma, migraines, IBS, or other conditions
• Insomnia or trouble staying asleep, especially when pain or worry is present
• Fatigue that makes daily tasks feel overwhelming
• Depression or anxiety after a diagnosis, injury, surgery, or hospitalization
• Difficulty coping with medications, appointments, diet changes, or physical therapy
• Grief and adjustment after loss of health, independence, or ability

When you get the right help, many people notice:

• Better coping skills during flare-ups
• Improved sleep routines and rest
• Less fear about symptoms and medical visits
• More confidence communicating with doctors and family
• Steadier habits for movement, nutrition, and medication use
• A clearer plan for pacing, stress management, and problem-solving

Evidence-Based Approach

Our Health Psychology Services focus on skills you can practice in real life, not just talk. We use treatments supported by research and tailored to your medical needs, learning style, and goals. The American Psychological Association (APA) highlights that evidence-based psychotherapy approaches—such as cognitive behavioral therapy—can help people with anxiety, depression, and chronic health conditions by improving coping and daily functioning. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) also describes how stress can affect the body and how behavior changes can improve health outcomes.

Common Modalities We Use

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps you notice unhelpful thoughts and build more helpful actions. Often used for anxiety, depression, insomnia, and health behavior change.
• CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I): A structured approach for sleep that targets habits, worry at night, and sleep scheduling.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helps you make room for discomfort while still moving toward what matters (family, work, values). Helpful for chronic pain and long-term conditions.
• Stress management and relaxation training: Breathing skills, guided imagery, muscle relaxation, and grounding tools for flare-ups.
• Behavioral medicine coaching: Practical steps for pacing, activity planning, medication routines, and nutrition or movement goals (in coordination with your medical team).
• Pain coping skills training: Education about the pain-stress cycle, activity pacing, sleep support, and flare-up plans.

How We Choose the Right Plan

We start with a clinical reasoning process: your symptoms, medical history, sleep patterns, stressors, supports, and daily routines. Then we set clear goals and track progress. Many symptoms worsen when the nervous system stays on “high alert.” Evidence-based therapy can help calm the system, reduce avoidance, and build steady routines over time.

Care You Can Trust in Michigan

In Michigan, psychologists and therapists must meet licensing standards, training requirements, and ethical rules set by state licensing boards. We follow Michigan licensing standards and professional ethics for confidentiality, documentation, and quality of care. If you need a higher level of care or a different specialty, we will help with referrals and coordination.

What to Expect

Starting therapy can feel like one more hard thing to do—especially when you already have appointments, tests, and symptoms. We aim to make it simple, clear, and supportive.

Before Your First Visit

• Brief paperwork about your history, current symptoms, and goals
• Insurance verification (if using insurance)
• Optional release form if you want us to coordinate with your primary care or specialist

Initial Intake Appointment

The first session is usually 45–60 minutes. We talk about your health concerns, what has helped or not helped, current stress, sleep, pain patterns, and daily functioning. You will also have time to share what you want life to look like after treatment. If needed, we may use short screening tools for anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, sleep, or pain interference.

Ongoing Sessions

Most follow-up visits are weekly or every other week, often 45–55 minutes. Sessions are structured and skills-based. You will leave with a plan you can practice, such as a sleep routine, a pacing strategy, or a way to respond to worry spirals. We review what worked, problem-solve barriers, and adjust goals as your symptoms change.

Collaboration With Your Medical Team

With your consent, we can coordinate with your PCP, specialists, physical therapy, or psychiatry. Health psychology works best when everyone is aligned on the plan. We can also help you prepare questions for appointments and practice how to explain symptoms clearly.

Insurance

We work with many insurance plans, and we can help you understand the basics before you start. Costs often depend on your specific plan and benefits.

Common Cost Terms (Simple Definitions)

• Copay: A set amount you pay per visit (for example, $20–$50).
• Deductible: The amount you may need to pay before insurance starts covering visits.
• Coinsurance: A percentage you pay after the deductible (for example, 10%–30%).
• Out-of-pocket maximum: The most you pay in a year before insurance covers more costs.

Mental Health Parity

Many plans must follow mental health parity rules, which means mental health coverage should be comparable to medical coverage. Coverage still varies by plan, and prior authorization may be required. We will provide documentation needed for standard billing and can give you a “good faith estimate” if you are self-pay, when applicable.

Self-Pay Options

If you are paying out of pocket, we can review fees and help you choose a visit schedule that fits your budget and needs. We can also provide superbills if your plan offers out-of-network benefits.

FAQ

Is health psychology the same as regular therapy?

It is therapy, but it focuses more on how health conditions affect thoughts, feelings, and daily habits. It also focuses on symptom coping skills (like pain, sleep, fatigue, and stress) and coordination with medical care when needed.

Will you tell me my symptoms are “just anxiety”?

No. We take symptoms seriously. Health psychology helps you respond to symptoms in ways that reduce suffering and support your medical care. We can work alongside your doctors to rule out medical causes while also reducing stress and fear that can make symptoms feel worse.

Do I need a referral from my doctor?

Often, no referral is needed to start therapy, but some insurance plans require one. If you are not sure, we can help you check your benefits. Many people come in on their own when pain, sleep issues, or health worry starts affecting daily life.

How long does treatment take?

It depends on your goals and symptoms. Some people feel improvement in 6–12 sessions, especially for skills-based care like CBT or CBT-I. Others choose longer support for complex medical conditions, chronic pain, or multiple stressors. We will review progress together and adjust the plan.

If you are ready for support that respects both your body and your emotions, Health Psychology Services in Michigan can help you build steady skills, reduce overwhelm, and feel more in control again.